Why "finished" but not "finishes"?

[Rei2]

Hi everybody
I'm newbie and I've just taken a test of English Grammar Test, Elementary Level # 4
There is one answer that I'm concern about. Here it is

You could tell the time by him because he always finished work at exactly the same time every day.

Correct answer: (d) finished

This sentence contains "always" and "every day" so why the answer is "finished" instead of "finishes"? And why we say "you could tell the time" instead of "you can tell the time"?

Thanks for your test and I'll appreciate if you can explain it for me.

Rei

[Rei2]

Oh, and one more question

They wanted their daughter to improve her social skills and sent her to the famous ......... school in Switzerland.
(a) ends
(b) ending
(c) finishes
(d) finishing

Correct answer: finishing

What does "finishing school" mean in this sentence?

Rei.

[Beeesneees]

A 'finishing school' is a private school where teenagers/young ladies are prepared for entry into upper class society.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Rei2]

Thanks for your explanation, Beeesneees ^^

[Torsten]

Hi Rei,

Please post your questions using our system properly. You can read how to do this here: http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic90.html#how_to_ask_a_question

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, photographs: A fruit and vegetable stand